So what am I taking to Ecuador? You mean beside my hair dryer, straightening iron, skinny jeans, and matching shoes? Kidding.

The only two things I really, truly need on a trip: passport and ATM card. Everything else you could technically, though uncomfortably, if-push-came-to-shove live without. Unless, of course, we’re talking about medications that you actually depend on for survival, like insulin or an asthma inhaler in my case (ok, so maybe I need 3 things).

In Costa Rica a few years ago I met six Kiwis whose passports had been stolen from their cabina while they were sleeping. Now if I were a thief, I would not pick on such a large group of rather large men. The next day, one of their passports was found near the side of the road along with a machete wrapped in a towel. After hearing that, I figured it was probably for the best that they had slept through the incident. Unfortunately for the remaining five, the nearest New Zealand embassy was in Mexico, meaning they had to cross through Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala – without passports. How’s that for a detour?

I’m quite happy to be taking along my newly acquired, perfect-for-traveling ATM card. I’ve been searching for an ATM card that doesn’t add insult to injury by tacking on exorbitant “out-of-network” ATM fees along with a 3% “international transaction” fee. Citibank charged me a 3% fee on my last international flight just because the carrier is based in another country, despite the fact that I bought the ticket online in the US and paid in US dollars. So finally, the perfect card that reimburses me for any fees incurred from using other ATMs, and no international transaction fee! I’m thinking with the extra savings I should be able to buy an extra guinea pig or two….

Along with these 2 most important of important items, I will be taking along my money belt to keep my passport, credit/debit cards, and cash hidden on bus rides or weekend trips.  One thing I’ve learned: Keep what you care about close to you. Better yet, on you. And hidden.

I once traveled with a girl in Panama who kept her cash stashed in an empty can of bug spray. When I saw her pop off the top to reveal wads of rolled up bills, I thought, Clever. As long as no one is looking to looking to steal your bug spray.